Criminal Investigation

Criminal Investigation, Fourth Edition, offers a comprehensive and engaging examination of criminal investigation and the vital role criminal evidence plays in the process. The text focuses on the five critical areas essential to understanding criminal investigations: background and contextual issues, criminal evidence, legal procedures, evidence collection procedures, and forensic science. In this new edition, esteemed author Steven G. Brandl goes beyond a simple how-to on investigative procedures and analyzes modern research and actual investigative cases to demonstrate their importance in the real world of criminal justice.

New to the Fourth Edition:

• New and updated statistical information, research findings, investigative procedures, and legal cases ensure you are learning about the most current research in the field. 
• Several new “From the Case File” chapter introductions and 25 new in-chapter “Case-in-Point” investigative case examples make it easier for you to connect the content to the real world. 
• More than 75 new photos, most of which are case photos from actual investigations, illustrate key concepts to help keep you engaged with the content. 
• New material on documenting evidence via reports provides examples of well-written police reports to help you build better writing skills. 
• New material on social media and evidence from electronic digital devices discusses how to use new technology as a source of information. 
• A stronger focus on terrorism and the use of technology in investigations encourages you to discuss and critically analyze the future of criminal investigations.
• New sections titled “Mental Mistakes in Criminal Investigations,” “Perspectives on the Criminal Investigation Process,” and “Qualities and Characteristics of Investigators” offer you tips and advice for conducting successful investigations. 
• New material on touch DNA helps you see the benefits and limitations of scientific evidence gathered from a crime scene.